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It's not always about a linear plot. In cases like this (and a few other of my favorite shows), the episodes are linked by themes repeated through the episodes. Development can still occur even if it happens on a gradual basis over a series of events instead of a series of interlinked ones.

The Western fandom needs to stop viewing every series through the lens of "plot". All of them have a story, but those stories aren't always presented in the same fashion. Shiori may very well end up influencing later events because she started opening up to others this week.

If they are to bring things like Mochizuou's and Midori's feelings, then they have to expend on them otherwise it was pointless to show those things to begin with.

Especially Midori since it didn't add anything to whole thing nor did it do anything for Midori as a character.

If they are to bring things like Mochizuou's and Midori's feelings, then they have to expend on them otherwise it was pointless to show those things to begin with.

Especially Midori since it didn't add anything to whole thing nor did it do anything for Midori as a character.

While that romance is a plotline, I don't think it's the plotline. The central story here seems to be Tamako's role in the shopping district. A big part of the first episode was everyone forgetting her birthday. She's helpful and invested in her community, but, as it goes in many KyoAni series, it's about appreciating the little things, too. So I think the climax of the final episode likely won't be a confession, but the market folk remembering to celebrate Tama's birthday. All other episodes serve the theme of expanding on the role people play in Tamako's life, with Dera acting as a catalyst to get to that point.

There are more storylines in anime than just "action" and "romance". Broader, more humanistic themes are quite common, but often overlooked.

To be honest those 3 episodes are more than enough to show how much everyone cares about Tamako and how much she means and does.

No need to get stuck on it for 13 episodes since there is no real problem to begin with.

And romance is what this series brought, not me. I don't mind if they expend on something else like for example whole Dera business since he clearly is not a normal bird.

K-ON was an easy going show but even it had some things going on like Yui learning to play a guitar, Azusa becoming a new member, graduation... themes were small but they were still there. While here so far it is a one shot setting.

K-ON was an easy going show but even it had some things going on like Yui learning to play a guitar, Azusa becoming a new member, graduation... themes were small but they were still there. While here so far it is a one shot setting.

K-On was a 2-season series. If a person had just watched three episodes of it and had no knowledge of the rest of it, they wouldn't have said it had a plot either. You're comparing a whole series to a fraction of one. The comparison is unfair.

It's not always about a linear plot. In cases like this (and a few other of my favorite shows), the episodes are linked by themes repeated through the episodes. Development can still occur even if it happens on a gradual basis over a series of events instead of a series of interlinked ones.

The Western fandom needs to stop viewing every series through the lens of "plot". All of them have a story, but those stories aren't always presented in the same fashion. Shiori may very well end up influencing later events because she started opening up to others this week.

To each their own, but I completely agree with this sentiment. This was actually my favorite episode so far, although it's probably because I now have some familiarity with the characters. I'd certainly like some romantic development, but the focus of this is on the warm and fuzzy atmosphere surrounding Tamako and her market. And the bird, who really aggravated me in the first episode, is used just enough to give some comic relief, and keep the show from being too saccharine.

Also, there's really no need to see Tamako "develop" in the sense of anime where there is an emphasis on character progression of some kind. She seems to have no dark past or demons to grapple with--her mother's death obviously affected her, but she seems to have come to terms with it (as she should, because death is an inevitable part of life)--and quite frankly I'm happy with her character as it is. I'd expect to see her doing different things and her relationships with others evolving--perhaps even romantically--but there's no need for her to *change* beyond the sweet girl focused on mochi at the center of a web of positive and caring human relationships. You really see that this episode, where you have a caring and sympathetic teacher meeting all the other shopowners, who all see Tamako as family. And as this episode drives home, anyone who interacts with Tamako sees their life improve as a result. All this makes linear plot superfluous.

This is very close to my problem with the damned thing. His behavior is only tolerated because he's not human, but because his actions are so human-oriented, that excuse doesn't work for me.

I'm sort of reminded of the "What if Garfield couldn't talk?" mock-ups.

I admit I don't exactly like him myself. If he would do the sensible things like lose some weight, and find out where those flowers he was in came from so he could arrange to be sent back there, and thus get back to doing his job and leave, I'd probably be happier.

However, I am certain that, in this case, he was helpful. Shiori would almost certainly never have worked up the courage to have talked to Tamako on her own, leaving her life a much lonelier state of affairs. Despite his misguided motivations, Dera did manage to get them together, which is why I can't make myself want to get rid of him quite as much as I used to.

Taiichi Ogawa did this episode, actually.
He's relatively new at Kyoani, has only handled Hyouka episodes 12 and 19, and storyboarded Chuuni episode 11.
IIRC he supposedly said this on an obscure forum when he was still an animator:

Not sure how trustworthy the source is, but he seems to adhere to this quote because his storyboard here was very solid. I liked the use of music as well, though that may be Yamada since all three episodes had some rather odd but neat implementation of it.

Taichi Ogawa still is an animator but he's one of the two 'rookies' who began to direct since Hyouka. His Hyouka #12 was nice but I think his most notable work is his storyboard of Chu2koi #11 which was neat with the direction done by Eisaku Kawanami who began direction with Nichijou episodes (we may have a Tamako Market episode by him).
The other rookie is Rika Ota and I thought it was her the first time I saw this Tamako Market episode (such femininity & neck shots!) since I forgot what episode she had to direct (it's actually episode 5). Both Ogawa and Ota approximately entered KyoAni at the same time during Lucky Star era so that may explain why they have in common this refined style. Two promising talents!
I don't think we could check Ogawa's quote source since it comes from a bbs, animators often create oekakibbs but these are hard to find, private or deleted.

K-On was a 2-season series. If a person had just watched three episodes of it and had no knowledge of the rest of it, they wouldn't have said it had a plot either. You're comparing a whole series to a fraction of one. The comparison is unfair.

Actually the first 3 episodes were all about Yui stopping to be a lazy butt and actually trying to do something. So no, my point stays relevant.

I'm not asking for some deep plot with dark skeletons, just something so it wouldn't be plain episodic.

Episodic shows tend to bore me after first few episodes because there isn't much to focus on. They are relaxing but it really wouldn't hurt to have some tiny story going on.

I'm not asking for some deep plot with dark skeletons, just something so it wouldn't be plain episodic.

I'm pretty sure it will have some sort of narrative arc or bigger conflict, since there are a lot of set ups throughout these 3 episodes. They're more about introducing the cast and the atmosphere of the market to the viewer, I thought it was done rather well in this episode having not only one but two outsiders (Shiori and the teacher) going into the market and being welcomed by its inhabitants in a warm and lively manner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyouray

Taichi Ogawa still is an animator but he's one of the two 'rookies' who began to direct since Hyouka. His Hyouka #12 was nice but I think his most notable work is his storyboard of Chu2koi #11 which was neat with the direction done by Eisaku Kawanami who began direction with Nichijou episodes (we may have a Tamako Market episode by him).
The other rookie is Rika Ota and I thought it was her the first time I saw this Tamako Market episode (such femininity & neck shots!) since I forgot what episode she had to direct (it's actually episode 5). Both Ogawa and Ota approximately entered KyoAni at the same time during Lucky Star era so that may explain why they have in common this refined style. Two promising talents!

So far I've liked what Ogawa has done more than Ota, her Hyouka 20 was more of a Chise Kamoi achievement for me, really nice drawings and expressions in there complementing the storyboard.
The two rookies seem very much a product of Kyoani's school, their directing style and storyboards are in the vein of most of the studio's work, if a bit unrefined still. I would really like it if they developed into a more individual style like Takemoto has done over the years, he is the single most interesting director at the studio for me. I hope Takemoto gets to direct an episode of Tamako Market, or at least Hiroko Utsumi who is also very good.

I'm pretty sure it will have some sort of narrative arc or bigger conflict, since there are a lot of set ups throughout these 3 episodes. They're more about introducing the cast and the atmosphere of the market to the viewer, I thought it was done rather well in this episode having not only one but two outsiders (Shiori and the teacher) going into the market and being welcomed by its inhabitants in a warm and lively manner.

Oh I'm not demanding it right now. People are clearly misunderstanding me. I was wondering if they would. I don't mind 5-6 introduction episodes.